Variable-speed-transmission gear.



E. P. GOWLBS. VARIABLE SPEED TRANSMISM CN GEAR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT; 5.1903.

Patented NOV. 9, 1909.

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E. P. COWLES. VARIABLE SPEED TRANSMISSION GEAR. APPLICATION FILED SERT.`5.1903,

Patented Nov. 9, 1909.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2A E. P. GOWLES.

`VARIABLE SPEED TRANSMISSION GEAR. APPLICATION FILED 5m15.190s 939,589, l Patented Nov. 9, 1909.

E; P. COWLESf VARIABLE SPEED TRANSMISSION GEAR.

APPLIUATION FILED SBPT.5. 1903. 939,589.

Patented Nov. 9,1909;l

e sHBETs-SHBET 4.

xv -s "im E. E. GOWLES. VARIABLE SPEED TRANSMISSION GEAR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 5,1903. 939, 589 Patented Nov. 9, 1909.

6 SHEETSSHEET 5.

E. P. UOWLES. VAEIABLBSPEED TRANSMISSION GEAR.

"JAPPLIGATION FILED SEPT. 5,1903. 1 l Patented Nov. 9, 1909;

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atto-mm@ iiirnn siriis ron EDWARD 1. ooWLEs, or Lansmen'icnieiin.

.VARIABLE-SPEED-TRANSMISSION GEAR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 9, 1999.

Application filed September 5, 1903. Serial No. 172,106.'y

another. pair of different diai'netrica'l` proportion. without disenga ging, eouplin g, y or nncoupling any part, also to provide nieans for changing the relativeepeed of the parts, while vin transition froinfone pair of gears to another, so that they willbe in unison 'with the relative speed of the last pair.

` lt has also for an object, to provide a stopping, breaking, and reversing `device when vthe invention is used for motor 'vel hielos, propelled by nonreversing and stopping motors) that acts without disconnecti-iig anypart, and in braking throws tlie-iiioinentum of the vehicle in oppc'isition to the.v

motor. f lt has further for an object, to provide an operating lever, which after performing one function, while moving continuously ir the same direction, 'locks and remains neutral tov this function, while performing other duties.

v[t consists iirst in providing an eccentric,

or curved feared path intermediate between gear wliee s of differentdiameters, secured to the saine shaft, said geared'path leading from the pitch line of the larger gear to the pitch line of the smaller gear and vice versa, and over which path a pinion or eoacting eccentric geared path, intermediate between coacting gear wheels secured to another shaft, can travel from engagement With-the larger gear to engagementwith the smaller gear, or vice versa, without diseiig'aging, and thus changing the relative speed Without shock4 between coacting gears in transit over geared paths. Second, in providing means for automatically shifting the moving gear wheel orI Wheels at the proper moment. Third; in-ifnieans for automatically prevent- 'ing the moving gear Wheelsor Wheel from being shifted' except at the proper moment.

Fourth, of means to cause the shifting mech- ,upper gcarcone shown in Fig. 5. 'isfafview Ifrom the right side o'f Fig. 1,

partly in section, and ,with part of the Vshiftv ving gear removed. Fig. 'el showsy a diifereiit anisni to act instantly. Fifth, of means for lautoii'i-.itically .locking the shifting mechanism at each successive stage of its movement. `dixth, of means whereby an operating lever, after shifting the'geais, locks and remains neutral relative to the shifting mechanism, and operates the stoppingbraking and rerei-sing mechanisinfby a continuous movementin the saine direction. Seventh, in means whereby the relative action of gears vin a differential mechanism, placed in the motor shaft,`are shifted to either neutralize or reverse the action of the motor on the transmission gears, to theextent 0f st0p-,

pin'gi'etarding, or reversing their movenient.

The invention consists, further, in variousi improvements in the construction, and ar-` rangement of parts, and specific devices for effecting the various movements, all of which` will be fully described in the following specifications, reference being had to the accompanying lrawii'igs in lwhich z- Figui'e luis atop view of a single geared transmission embodying my invention. Fig.

` 2 isa view of the rightside of the cone of.

gears shown in Fig. 1, or of the left side of Fig. 3

arrangement of eccentric gears from that kshown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a top view 'of a` double geared transmission embodying my invention, with 'horizontal section through,

Fis

shifting and reversing mechanism. is aside View ot the shifting rod and operating lever shown in Fig. 5, with parts cut away. i Fig. is a vi'eW from tlie right side of Fig. 5i, with the reversing mechanism removed. of Fig. 5, Withtraiisverse vertical section through shifting druin. 9 is a longitudinal vertical section through the shifting drum, on line Afri of Fig. 8.` Fig. 10'is a view of the, right side of reversing mechan' ism, with front gear and friction slieave removed. Fig. 11 is a view ofthe right side of lower cone of gears shown in Fig. 5. Fig. l2 is a top view of adirect double geared transmission embodying' my inve'ir y tion. F lgs, 13 and 14 are side views yof the coacting eccentric gears shown in Fig. 12..

Fig. 15 is a vsection through doublefriction sheave i modification of sheave 9() in Fig. 5. Rre/rring to thedrawings, 15, 16 and 17,

Fig. t3 is a view from the left side ics Fig. A1, indicate spur gears of ldifferent respectively, as shown at 15,'16ci and 17a Fig. 2. All of these gears have teeth of the same pitch, and preferably of an even number, With those Ain the regular gears divisible by 4. They are placed with respect to each other, 'so that the teethat the iiiametrically opposite points, where the ecentric and regular pitch lines are the same distance from center of shaft. 18, will coincide andform practically a continuous tooth,-as at 15a, 16, y173 Fig. 2. For convenience in description this tooth Will be called the shifting tooth and the one on the opposite side of the eccentric where the pinion is shiftedffrom the eccentric onto the regular gear the landing tooth. It will be seen that for some distance either side of this tooth the teeth will practically coincide as shown between the broken radial lines 21 and 22;.Fig. 2, which.

in the present instance is 51% segment of the gear wheel. It is obvious that a pinion engaged with one of the regular gears while passing over this segment could be shifted adapted to engage with any of the gears l5,

on o an adjacent eccentric or viceversa. Shaft 18 of this cone of gears has bearings in theouter Aends of rocker arms 23Fig,`3, extending from a rock shaft 24, turnin o`n spindle 25, secured tothe frame 26, o. the

transmission gear. This adapts arms 23 to swingto a limited extent as shown by broken lines Fig. 3, and move" the cone of gears to'or from a fixed line if; frame 26 or the pinion' shaft 29. y

A -pinion 27, preferably the driver, is

16, 17, 19, 20 through an extensible connection with thedriving shaft. This is accomplished by the motor shaft terminating in a sleeve 28, in which slides a short shaft`29, having pinion 27, secured to its outer end,

.which is. supported by a bearing 30, ar

rangedl close to the pinion 27, and having a sliding connection with the framef26, in line with shaft 29, and sleeve 28. Shaft 29 is rotatively connected to sleeve 28,`b'y having two, or more concave slots cut in its surface in the direction of its length which register with similar slots cut in the inner surface the sleeve 28, and in which slots are place balls 31, so that the shaft slides in and out of sleeve 28-7 under the severest turning effort practically Without friction.

In Fig. 1 pinion 27 is represented as beengagement with the central regular Ametrica .when plnion 27-,- can be shifted onto regular gear 16, with the shifting tooth 16 of this.

gear on a line connecting the two axes. 1t 1s obvious from the foregoing description that in this position, While in operation, it can be shifted to the right onto eccentric gear 19, and if shaft 24, with arms 23, is rocked to move shaft 18, toward pinion 27, the latter will follow down the eccentric geared path until the shifting tooth dialy opposite is in line with the axis gear 15. If the pinion when in the position shown in Fig. 1 be shifted to the left onto eccentricgear 20 and shaft 18 moved away from pinion 27, said pinion will follow u .eccentric eared path 20, and can be shifts onto regiilar gear 17. It is also obvious that if the movement commences when shifting teeth 15a and 17a are opposite pinion 27 thereverse of these movements will take place.

It will be seen from the foregoing that pinion 27, can be shifted at will from one regulan gear to any other Without disconnecting any pam-changing the speed gradually in transit over the eccentric gear path`s without shock.

The means for automatically shifting the gear is substantially the same, and can hetter be described in connection with Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, which represent a double geared transmission.

In Fig. 5, the cone of gears 15 are the same as 15, 16, 17, in Fig. 2, except in diameter, and for convenience will be` referred to as the same. In Fig. 5 it is preferably the driver, and connected to the motor shaft A32. Rigidly su ported in the same frame is another sha 't 33, extending parallel with motor shaft 32 and havim1r secured thereon gear wheels 34, 35, 36, of3 different diameters, placed in the same rotating planes respectivel -with 15', 16', 17. Intermediate irregu ar eccentric gears 37, 38, are secured to shaft 33, opposite to 19, 20, respectively. All of these gears have teeth of the same pitch, and the sum of the teeth in each pair 15 and 34, 16 and 35, 17 and 36, are equal. In the present instance there are seventy two teeth ii each pair so that the pitch lines in eael pair are the. same distance apart, 'and an intermediate or idle pinion 39, having its axis in the same plane withthetwo shafts 32 and 33 will intermesh with both Wheels of either of the three pairs of gears. Pinion 39, has bearings in the outer ends of arms 40, extending from a shiftinr drum 41 turning to a limited extent and sli ing lengthwise on a shaft 42,

which is supported in bearlngs, 43, in the frame of the transmission. Pinion 39 is thus adapted to' shift and swing to enga e any of the pairs of gears, as shown by @roken lines in Fig. 8.

It is necessary that the number of teeth in the `wheels of each pair, and te', pairs,

and 20 will have thirty-two teeth-, sixteen on each half. Gear 34' has fifty-six` teeth andpinion l5', when engaged with it will therefore make `3%1evolutions to Vevery onel .made b said gear. l.Let the `shifting tooth vof pinion 115 be at 0 ongear 34 Fig. 11, the first revolutionwill take it to 1,'the

second to 2, the third ,to 3, the fourth it,

passes 0 and goes to 4, and so on. At. the 7th revolution .it .is again at` O. It will be seen that there are seven teeth in gear 3l, on oneof which the shifting tooth of pinion 15 will .landevery 7th revolution, and that it will never during such cycle mesh with any ofthe others of said series? hf'seven which` for convenience in description `will be called multiple teeth Thev intermediateI geared path 37,is a cui-.ve such that vthe pitch line with, that of eccentric gear 19 at each succeeding pitch vwill `bethesame distance apart,` on a line joining the. two axes. Ithas 22 teeth, 11 n eachl half, from Ofon gear 34 to the point whereit is-even witli'the pitchr line'of rear 35. to. correspond with eccentric 19', on shaft 32, with which it cooperates. extend entirely around).

ing tooth 16a, in pinion 19', to 0,v onV gear 35, Fig. 11. and intermediate gearf 39, Acan be shifted, to bring `gears-35, and 16 into en-` gagement. Gear wheel 36 hasi'forty-,four

teeth and` pinion 1GI `with twenty-eight yteeth will make ift-f revolutions to-'every revolution of gear The first revolution will take shifting tooth loin'pinion 16', to 1. on gear 3G the second to 2,'and so on, until at `the Veleventh 'revolution 'it willwbeatf() again, making eleven multiple "l teeth in'gear 3G,

with` one of which. the shifting tooth on 1 pinion 16 will engage every eleyenth revo- Tn making the reverse movement4 lution. passing from gear 35 b'ae"v to gear 34, it is necessary to place the othe. :half of geared path 3T, over whichpinion 39, passes 1n this movement, so thatit will start from a mul-4 i ,liple tootlron gear 3 5 and land on af mul-` tiplef. tooth oi'igear 3-t'andlwherre it will not interferewith .the otherl half. In` thepresout instance .tooth Ai on `gear 35, andi) on gearl, arel .the Vonly ones, the correct dislreason the half ofl (It. does 'not y Then the shift' Aing tooth in inion 15 is at 0,011 gear 34, in-

termediate pinion 39, can be shifted between,

tance apart-that is -+\leven pitches on pitch curve-37. Tooth O'is also shifting tooth on gearsi which makes geared path 3T. in this instance. continuons. Vhen pinion 1G', hasI made tive revolutions after landing on 0 in gear 35 it will be iii position at Jetobe shifted and it will be in this position every eleif'enth revolution thereafter. Tooth l is established as shifting tooth for vgear wheel It is desirable in "an intermediate gear like 35, to shift from the same. tooth to veither side eccentric gear. For this reason curved path 38 which co-acts with eccentric 20 von shaft 32. and leads to gear 36. on shaft 33. starts from shifting tooth -l on gear 35. As

eccentric 20 has thirty-two teeth-sicnrved path 38 has thirty-two teeth also. sixteen on each half, and lands on tooth 0 in4 gear 36, F ig. 11, sixteen pitches on curve 38'from tooth 4 in gear and this tooth is established as `shifting tooth for gear wheel 36. Asthis gear has the saine number of teeth (thirty-six) as gear 17. on shaft 32, with which it c'o-acts, there are no multiple. teeth. the shifting tooth in gehi- 17. returning to 0 in gear 36 in every rvolution.

curved path 3S which leads back to gear C must start from this ioothwhich makes clirved path-38 continuous like 37, sixteen pitches from tooth 0 in gear 36. along curve 35 lands at tooth 10-a multiple tooth. in gear wheel, `where intermediate pinion 39 can be shifted to bring gea-rs 35 and i6 into engagement again. and

after tive revolutions, shifting `tooth in connected in any manner. therefore they v Work with the sameprecision and absolute `certainty as regular gears` It is impossible for them to get out of nn ison or go wrong. lt will also be seen how nlany combinations can be worked out, varying in dia-meter,

ratio, and number of gears.

lt will be) observed that intermediate pinion 39, follows thc'eccentric gears, swinging automatically toward one shaft or the other as shown` by broken lines in Fig. 8, and does not. have to be kept in n'ieshl by special mechanism as is the case in lthe single gear Figs. 1 to 3.

Itis obvious that intermediate pinion 35) cisely the proper moment, and offering considerable resistance when 4under heavy kpressure, 1t 'is inecessary to provide means for requiringjto/be shifted quickly, and at pre- Y l ll automatically shifting it. In the present 'iiistance this is accomplished b v the following described means.

The inner surface of shifting drum Ltl, is provided with inwardly projecting ribs All, Figs. 8 and 9, in the form of an irregular double thread, forming two irregular spiral channels. Shaft -li passing axiall)1 through this drinn, and on which it slides and swings, has two diametrically opposed arms which are provided on their outer ends with rollers .45, which run in the channels formed on the inner side of drum ell. 'lhese channels are arranged withtwo diametrically opposed straightl parts, which in Figs. 8 and 9 are above and below, and two diametrically opposed diagonal parts, which in the same figure are on the sides. To shift pinion 39 from one pair of gear wheels to another, the shaft'fl makes one revolutn. When not shifting, or when the gealtfsaie workinef,y shaft l2 remains at rest in the position shown, with the rollersl l'in the straight part of the channels. This prevents drum ell from moving whlen gears are working regular, or locks it, and offers no resistance to shaft- 42 when starting to turn. lVhen shifting the gears shaft 4t2 starts to turn at the instant shifting teeth in gears are in proper position with respect to cach otherrollers 45 strike the diagonal part of channels, and move the drum accurately the distance from the center of 011e set of gears to the center of the adjacent set, while intermediate pinion 39, is passing over the segment between lines Q1 amtll, Fig. 2. Rollers 45, then traverse the straight part of channels (drum lll remaining stationary), while pinion 39, travels over the eccentric. Then pinion 39, reaches the. opposite -2- gear segment between lines 9.1', and QQ, rollers t5, again strike the diagonal part of channels, and move drum 41 the distance from the center of one set of gears to the center of the other set of gears, and shift intermediatepinion 39, from the then engaged eccentric to the adjacent regular gear.

Rollers 45 are now in the straight part of channels again, which in the present case, would be one of the extreme end parts fil-(, 46', and shaft 42, is at rest again.

Shaft s2 is rotated by a pair of miters 4T, one ofV which is secured tothe end of this shaft close to the bearing 43, the other to the lower end of a sleeve 48 which turns on a stud 49, one-end of which is secured in the bearing 43 of shaft 42. the other end having a T shaped sleeve 50, bearing on shaft. 32. Turning loosely onthe ends of this T shaped sleeve, concentric with shaft 32, are two I niter gears 51, 51 which mesh with a third miter 52, secured to the upper end of sleeve .f 48, (for the sake of clearness in illustration` this miter in Figs. l and 5 is shown with its laxis horizontal, it ishowever at an angle of nearly 45 degrees, as in Figs. 3 and 7). Mitel-s 5l, 51', have on the outer face of their hubs two clutch members 53, 53 disposed,

diametrieally opposite each other, adapted to engage similar clutch members 54, 54 on two sleeves 55, 55-splined to shaft 32, and

sliding `freely thereon (best-shown in Fig. T). Sleeves 55. 55 are connected by a yoke 56, which holds them normally out of eny gagement with the clutch members on miters 51. 51', but when moved to the right or left slides one or the other of said sleeves 55, 55 into engagement'with its respective miter and causes it to revolve with shaft A32, While the other miter turns loosely on sleeve 50 in theopposite direct-ion. Yoke 56 is moved by a lever 57, to which `it is pivoted. One end of lever 5T, is pivoted to a boss 58, extending from sleeve 50; the other end extends to the shifting rod 59, where it engages with one of al series of notches G0, cut in a projection from rod 59, which extends up through a slot in a bearing 6l, for rod 59. Two inclined projections 64, 64e on the bearing (il, serve to disengage the end of lever 57, from notches 60, as it. swings out either way, and allow it to move back into its normal position. That is as the lever 57 is moved about its pivot in either direction from the position shown in Fig. 5, the notched projeetion on the rod 59 moving through the slot in bearing` G1, it will contact with one of the inclined projections Gli, 64 and be thereby lifted from the notch GO in which it has previously rested. Miters 51, 51, are cach provided with a projection 62, 62' which Ipass yoke 56, at the same time, and yoke 5t is provided with two beveled projections GS,` G3', separated a distance that will just allow projections 62. G2 on the miters to pass between them without toucht ing whensaid yoke is in its normal central position, but when yoke 5G, is moved to either side by lever 57 as described above the projection extending from the miter on the opposite side of said central position from which the yoke is moved, strikes the beveled projection on yoke 56, and throws it into its normal central position` disengaging the clutch members previously engaged. Such return movement will move. the lever 57 from the beveled projection 64, 64 by which it has been supported to its normal position when it will again engage one of the notches 60 of the bar 59.

It will be observed that the foregoing is simply a one turn movement, that can be made to turn with shaft 32, or in a reis in the position shownA in Fig. 5, the inter--` -mediate pinion beingengagcd with central S regular gears 16') the end of levorv' beingengaged in one of the notchcs'll() in shifting rod 5 9, this lever with yoke 56, and

5 sleeves 55, 55', will bev carried to the left, which will bring the' clutch' members '54',

. and 53. into.engagement and canse miters 51E-52 to revolve with shaft 32. VThis rotation-by means ot sleevev 48, and mitersI 47, is communicated to sha-ft 42.V Rollers 45.

- stri-ke the diagonal part of channels in shifting drum 4l, and'force it tothe left, Which slides intermediatepinionA 39, betWeen-and into- `e1igagement with eccentricgears 3T, 19.

r While rollers are traversing the straight part G5 of channelse-intermediatepinion 39, will run down between eccent-ri'cs 19 and? and when shifting teeth lin pinion 15 and gear 34 arein line, rollers 45` will strike the dia tonal part of channels again, and torce shiiingv drum 41 Witlrintermediate pinion l 39 farther to the left andbring the latter between, and intofengagement with regular gear 34 andpinion 15. vRollers 45ers now `y in the straight'part of channels 46 at the right end of slnftin'g drum 41. i Shaftflf, 'and miters 47, '52, having i. completed one revolution, projection 62 onfniiter'l, strikes the beveledpart'tf. of' yoke 56 'and throws it to the right-disengaging imiter 5l', Which with shaft 42 comes to .rest'and remains so until Ashifting rod 59, is'moved again.

-Itwisoh'vious that it shifting rod 5i) is moved to the right instead of `to the left, it will bring sleeve 55, and miter 51, into'engagelnent andlcause a reverse movement of v shiftingrdrum/il, and intermediate pinion 2li) from that just described. It is obvious thatas an attemptto shift 40 the. gearslexcept atwthe'fproper moment would result in damaging or breaking" the parts,1 it is A.necessary to provide means whereby Vthe` shifting mechanism will" `act when the gears are in' proper relation vto `each fother. This' is` accomplished in the present instance-byu securing,l disks't'and G6.

Eto each shaft 32lend 33. Unshat't 32:, disk f G5, has' two"not hesft, 67s', 'cut in its' edge (Fig. l7).` Note 1,67', isplacedr in line with or a little 'iirailvance of shiftingtooth '16,

-in pinion 1.6"an lnotch".(57 is'plaeeddiametrieally 'opposite,-bein in linewith or a 'little in advance Aof fs'hi tin-gteeth 15a and 17,in pinions '155' and 17 (Figs, Qand o).

- 'iny advance of, shiftfni,ef` tooth (l =in 'geirrt' 34, `the second A69, being'iii line'n ithorI alittle in vend adjacentsaid gears with a fork, each '66 member of which hasprojections 71, '71',

and 7:2, 7".- which are of Ishape and size as to just pass through the notches in disks and (lo. The edges ot' these projections and the sides ot the notches iu said disks have knife edges so thatA they cannot abut. The projections extend on either side of the disks, and are moed apart to allow the disks to revolve treel \Y between them. It is obvious from au examination of Figs. 5 and 7 that the shitting' rod 59 cannot be moved excepty when a notch in each disk is on a line joining the two axes. which will allow projections '71 and 72 to pass .through said notches.- It will be seen, by consulting' Fig. 1l and tacing the n'iovement of the multiple andshit't-ing teeth, .iii-st, that when any one ofthe pairs ot'` regular gears are in mesh,

-the11otchin disk GC which corresponds to said gear will never come `in line with a notch m disk (35., except when the shifting teeth 1n said pan' are 1n line amhftherefore,

Tin proper position for the intermediate piuion, ,32), to be shifted:-second, that when any one oi the pairs' 1s engaged the notches 'in disk (to corresponding to the other pairs will never under any conditions come in line. Therefore, it 1s impos'slble to move shitting' rod-59 and set the shifting mechanism in operation except when the parts are in the proper relation to each other for so doing.

yThe oflice' of the disks .is to dit-tate the propel' time lfor shifting' the gears, and prevent their being' shifted at any other time.

le'hen shaft '32 revolves at a high speed the notches in disks tand (56 would.. pass so quickly that the .movement ot a hand lever would be too sluggish to pass projections'71,A 72, through the notches. :It is necessary to provide means to` do this-iilstantly. This is 4accomphshed 1n 'the present instance by making sli'lltingrod 55)"111 two parts connected by a- .spring T3, inthe manner of -the v'butler spring in car emiplings.l The end of the' stplarepart 59, iis rounded with a loose tittinocollar74 Testine' a ainst thes nare .a .i ze g shoulder. yThe outer end of round part is f'headed over another loosely fitting collar 7 5, .i with the spring` 7C at-"some tensionv between saidy collars. Part 59'r has aeasinrt 76 'exlar tand abuttingagainst collar 75; It' part 59- is moved either way, when .part 59 1s yfast. 4the spr1ngv73 'iscompressed .When

j "part .Gillisfree it .actslike a solid rod. The 55 Disk 66, onshaft 33'lhas three notclies'cnt in 'f lits edge, one '68 being' inline `wither arlittle' shiftinglev-er '177, is provided at the handle end (not shown) -with notches and latch' like the reversing'lexfer. iu locomotives, onetnotch for-each speedt-p *advance oii, shifting tooth 0` in'g'ear 35, :andl I 60 4the third,-70, being' in line wither a little in advance oflshiftingtootlr 01 inl gear 36,

Y. there being one-notch vfor eaeh'regnlargear wheel. Shifting rod 59 is provided at its -ln operation-when it. is desired to shift to) another` speethfor. instance to the left, shitting lever f77-is pulled 'over iii-to the next notch at anytime. The projections 711 7 2 cannot pass disks 65 and 66, until the proper notches coincide therewith; but are pressed against them. Spring 73 is thereby compressed, and when said. notches are in alinement with the projections 71 7 2 the latter' are under no stress, and oder no resistance.

.to starting except inertia so that the impact of coupling members 53 and 54 is light. At 600 revolutions per minute, it would be the saine as a body of the same weight falling only l0 inches,

.To lessen friction the shifting drum 41 can havemollers 7Sj'running on shaft 42.

The shifting mechanism illustrated in' Figs. l to 3 is substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 5. Miter 52 is integral with shifting drum 41 which revolves shaft 42 with rollers 45 being stationary. Shaft 42 is pivoted to frame 26 at 78, adapting it to swingto a limited extend. It is tubular and stud 49 with the hub o1 miter 52 telescopes with it. AIn turning, the eii'ect of inside channels or rollers 45 is to rock shaft 24 and move the cone of gears to or from pinion 27, 4and keep it in mesh with the eccentric gears. Drum 4l has projections 79.

` forming an irregular channel outside with which engages a roller 80, attached to one arm of a bell crank 8-1 pivoted toan arm 82vintegral with the pivot head of shaft 42. The other arm of this bell crank is connected by a link 83 ,to the sliding bearing 36, of pinion 27. (For clearness in illustrating, in Fig. 1 drum 41 is shown horizontal and crank 8l and link 83, above shaft 29, instead of inclined 'and below as in Fig. 3). In turning, the effect of channel on outside of drum on roller 80, is to slide pinion 27.

v The curves of these channels 44 and 49 are so shaped and combined that the first-eect of rotating drum 4l, is to slide pinion 27,.

during which movement inside channel remains neutral on rollers 45. Rolls 45`then strike thejslanting part of inside channel 44 and move the cone of gears to or from pinion 27, causing it too-follow the eccentric gears. During this movement roller 80 traverses a return bend in outside channel (shown by brokenlines on under side of drum 41 in Fig. l) which causes bell crank 81 and pinion 27 to remain stationary, while drum 41 'moves toA or from shaft 29, and lastly rollers 45 reach the straight part of ,inside channel and remain neutral again,

"while roller 80 y,strikestheV second slant in outside channel-and slides pinion 27 from an `through either notch indiferently,

eccentric to a regular gear, a revolution of drum 41.

The movement of the shifting mechanism is ycontrolled the same as in Flg. 5, except there is only one disk, similar to 65 on shaft 32. To prevent projections 71, 71, going one notch is wider, and not so deep as the other, and projection 71 is shorter and Wider than 71. It will be observed that this gear cannot be disconnected to stop, or be reversed, and when used in connection with a motor that cannot be reversed, or conveniently stopped, it is necessary to provide means in one of the shafts to do so. Preferably I accomplsh this by the mechanism shown in horizontal section to the right in Fig. 5, and in Fig. 10. Shaft 32 is 1n two parts, on the abutting ends of which are secured two beveled gears 84, 84, facing each other, and be- S5 tween them is a s ider 85, turning loosel on the abutting en s of the sections of sha 32, and carrying preferably 3 pinions, 86, whose axes are radial to shaft 82 and 120 degrees apart and which pinions arc always in mesh with the bevel gears 84, 84-the arrangement being much the same as the coinmon differential gear. Pinions 86 each turn on a sleeved nut S7, the out ends of which are provided with pinions 88. This sleeved nut is fitted to and turns to a limited extent on a threaded stud 89 connecting the periphery and hub of spider 85. On the outside of beveled gears 84, turning loosely on the hubs thereof or shaft 32, are two fric- 100 tion sheaves 90, 90 provided on their inner sides with beveled gear teeth 91, which are always in mesh with sleeve nut pinion 8S, forming practically. another differential gear outside of the first. The effect of turn- 105 ing' sleeved nut. 87 up is to bind di'lferential which completes .pinion 8G as in a vise and obstruct or prevent its turning. Friction sheaves 90, 90

aic each provided with two brakes 92, 92', one above and one below, and each having one end pivot-ed tothe frame work at 93 and the other end connected by links 94 to the arms of an o" erat-ing rocking shaft 95. Normally the braiies tofboth sheaves are off p oi'ffree from sheaves 90, 90,leaving them to 115 turnv freely with shaft 32. A spring 96 is arranged to cause them to return automatically to this position when released. Then rock shaft 95 is turned-for instance to the right (Fig. 10) it draws the brakes 92 near- 120 est the observer inFig. 10, or to the right in Fig. 5, together and causes them to embrace sheave 90 like a vise or tongs, while the other pair is opened wider.' Turning rocker 9.5 to the left hasthe reverse effectembracing sheave 90 andopening wider from sheave 90.' In operation assuming that sleeve nuts 87-are turned iip to hold di ferential pinions 86, fromgg'evolving, they act to transmit power\ direc`tly lfrom bevelliaory brakes 92 to bear on sheave 00 andV resist.

its revolving. This resistance, by means of Igear teeth 91', reacts on sleeve pinion S8, and it sutlicient pr-ssnre be'applied it will turn sleeve ,mit 87 back jamming` it againstthe rim ot. spider-85 and releasing;l dill'erential pinions 80. If the brakes are now released the transmission gears will stop. spider S5 with differential pinions S0. revolving willi halt the velocity of the motor shaft and in the same direction` but if the pressure ot brakes 02 be continued it acts to resist tlie'revolution of spider 85` (friction sheave 90 and spider 85 'being locked together b v reason ot sleeve pinion SS jamming` against rim of spider) and thisI resistance reacts equally against the momentum of the transmission.v gear and power of the motor. linions SG act as levers ot' the first ordcr with sleeve nuts S7 as fulcrums. In other words the power ot' `the motor acts to stop andbrake. the forward movement of the transmission gearing and vehicle. By regulating the pressure, allowing shcave A90 to slip in the brake, this resistance can be` increased or diminished at will, and if sutlicient pressure be applied to stop and .holdv sheave 90 and spider 85`from revolving, the movement of the transmission.-gearing,and vehicle will be reversed. it now rocl'mg shaft 05 be turned to tlle let't, brakes :J7

be released from sheave 90 and the other pair 92 brought to bear on sheave 90, and the resistance caised thereby 4is transmittet-l through gear teeth 91 and pinions SS to sleeveiiuts 87 causing them to screw up on threaded studs Si), and compress against dii Jt'erential pinioiis 86, obstructing their revolution and changing them and spider S5 from transmission pinio-ns (levers of the fir-st order) to nent'al transmission blocks (angular levers of thethird order)'-receivpendent of the ditferential niechanisn'i, for

vthis reason I wouldpreferably make sheave 90 double as shown 1n F10l 15, with an V-u shaped face so that' brake 92 would 'acton both parts, the outsidepart 97 being secured directly to shaft 32.'

- It will be observed that in 'this'de'vie'the' gears are never ont of mesh or disconnected in' any `manner. The power is not trailsferred, by throwingv one set. of gears out "oft '.'acti'on and bringing another set into action as is the case 1n the common slipping change gears. Neither is the action of one` tally, biiti'igid rotatively with it.

`set ofgears neutralized and the action of another set. made effective, as is the case in planetary or epicycle gears, but in this case the relation of the saine gearsto each other, is changed to produce different results. The action' of frictionl sheaves 00, 90" is to canse s-ipiider 85 with' differential pinions 8G, to revolve with shaft 3i). with the same speed,'to

revolve with shaft 32 with one half its speed, or to remain stationary,'which produces the result ot straight transmission, stopping or reversing;

Lln a controlli ig in'ecln'inisin it is desirable '77, on a pivot 0S as is the gene 'al'pract-ice,

lv sustain it between two arc guides 99,-having ineacli, two-arcslots. 100, 100 with 08 as a center. The bent toot T7 ot lever 'i i,

is provided with pins 101,v 101, which work `in these slots and cause lever 7T to `swing as if pivoted at- 0S, as shopwnby broken lines in Fig. (It will be understood' that the only object in making slots'100 curved instead of straight and horizontal is to cause thefhandlecnil of lever Y? to move farther than the foot. andy give it.leverantie)i` Shifting rod is pivoted to pin 101. The movement of pin 101. in slot 100 is practi ailly horizontal and during this i'novemelit lever 7i' 'operates thev shifting mechanism. f When pin 101 reaches thev left end of slot 100, the lower pin 10.1 is -free to'inove out in abranch 100" oit' "lower slot 100', with pin 101 in this position as a center, during which movement lever f77 swings on pin 101 as a center, this pin re "mainiiig stationary, locking the shifting i'iiecl'ianism.

Rocking shaft 95 is provided With an arm 102 pivoted to swing like a latch horizont is pressed againsta stop 103 by a' spring on the'opposite side. llhe louter end of ai-m10? terniinates'in a. hook latch 104, placed in the path of the ball end of an arml 105, extending from lever 77'. After completing the movement' of the shifting "mechanism, a

.further movement of lever 77 to the left,

will swing ballend of lever 105 in-a circle, with pin k101 as a center,ngaging latch 104 and operating the reversing. mechanism. During this movement pinlOl moves in slot 100. When lever 77 1s nioved'to the right 'so as to bring pin 101 into slotv 100', and

pin 101 commences movingto-the right, ball 'end'of arm 105 is'drawn out of latch 104.l

' In Fig. 12 'I havesliown my invention einibodied 'in a 'system of direct meshing gears,-

that is, with intermediate pinionf39, Figa 5,

dispensed with the gears on shafts32 and 33 "i meshing directly with each other. The gear Wheels 4on each shaft are precisely the same respectively as those in Figs. 5, 7 8 and 11,

i .and the relative arrangement is the same extances apart.

on shaft 32 are in planes parallel with they ceptfin this case they are spaced certain disrlphe shifting teeth in gears 'axis shown b broken lines 15", 1Gbl and lb explained in connection with .Figs and 11. The gearscan be secured directly to the shafts and one or both of the shafts adapted to slide endwise to a limited extent or they can be secured to sleeves splined to the shafts adapted to slide endwise thereon. Preferably I would secure the gear wheels on'shaft 32, directly on the shaft, which would not be adapted' vto slide endwise, and the gear wheels on shaft 33, to a sleeve adapted to slide thereon by frictionless means, either the one shown in connection with Figs. 1 and 3 or any other suitable form. They are as sembled with the proper teeth intermeshing and as hereinbefore explained can never vary from such arrangement. In Fig. 12 l have represented regular gears 17 and 36 (the fast speed) in engagement with their shifting teeth on a line joining the axes, and as explained in connection with Fig. 5, gears on shaft 33 can be shifted to the left bringing eccentric gears 20 and 38 into engagement as shown in Fig. 13. After, one half revolution of sha-ft 32 (during which time -the pitch lines of eccentric 20 and 38 touch tangentially the point of contact moving to- Ward shaft 32, reducing the speed of shaft 33) the gears on shaft 33 can be again shifted to the left, placing them m the posi- 4tion shown by broken lines in Fig. 12, and

bringing regular gears 35 and 16 into engagement. When shifting teeth in these two gear wheels are in proper position, gears on shaftv 33 can again be shifted to the left bringing eccentrical 37 and 12) into engagement shown in Fig. 14, the pitch circles of which will touch each other for half a revolution of 19 the point of contact moving toward shaft 33 at whichtime gears on sha t't will be shifted to the left again, bringing regular gear 34 and pinion 15 int'o mesh. O'from gear 35, they can be shifted to the right bringing regular gearsl 3G and 17 into mesh again, as fully explained in connection with 5, 7 8 and 11.

It will be observed that the reason for leaving a space between the gear wheels is that gear 36 cannot passeccentrie 20 nor eccentric 38 pinion 16 to the left, gear 35 cannot pass pinion 20 and gear 37 cannot pass 16 nor can gear 34 pass 19 to the right. lShifting the gears is accomplished by substantially the same means as 'shown and de- --seribuedfiin connection with Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8

end-.S This arrangement has the advanl i,agefef sim licity that shcrlainarig. 5.-

but is not so compact as ln Fig. 1 l have shown a diii'crent arrangement of eccentric gears from that .shown on shaft 1S lFig. l and shaft 32. Figs. and 1:2. ln this case l place two eccentric gears 10i'. 10S between two regular gears 10),

l1() ot' different diameters. 'the damclcr ot 4the larger eccentric is il the dillcrence bctwecn the diameters of the lwo regular gears less than the diameter of the larger regular gears. 'l`hc diameter of the smaller eccentric is Jg this dilt'erencc greater than the dialnetr-r of the smaller regular gear. 'lhcy are placed so that the highest shifting tooth of the larger eccentric 111 is even and coincides with the shifting tooth of the larger regular gear 10S), and the lower shifting tooth 112 tdiametrically opposite 111) is even, and coincidesI with the highest shifting tooth of the smaller eccentric-the lowest shifting tooth 113 of this eccentric (diamctrically op positc 112)v is even and coincides with the shifting tooth of the smaller regular gear f 110. It is obvious that a gear wheel meshing with thc larger regular gear 10S) could be shifted at 111 onto the larger eccentric, and aftcr le revolution, again shifted onto the smaller eccentric at 1].2, and again after revolution shifted onto the ,smaller regular gear 110, at 113 occupying an entire revolution in passing from one to the other, changing the speed gradually all the way. It 1s also obvious that the reverse can take placepassing from the smaller to the larger increasing the speed gradually all the way.

It will be noted that the pitch lines of the eccentric from 111 to 113 is practically a conical helix or spiral, and could be a true conical helix if it were not for the necessity of offsetting at 112, to allow the returning helix to pass. Any number of eccentric gears can 1be placed in this manner between two regular gears of different diameters and the transition made as gradual as desired.

'In Fig. -t it is shown how the eccentric gears can be employed from the one shown. Many equivalent devices may be substituted to shift the gears from one to the other, and other means for regulating` the shifting mechanism and prevent the gears being shifted at other than the proper moment. Various forms of cam movement canbe introduced in )lace of the shifting drum shown. I intend in t e broader claims of this s ecication to cover all such equivalent evices and in the more speciicclaims to cover the particnlardeviees illustrated and described and which at the present time seem to be the best embodiment of inydnvention.- i

Preferably, as hereinbeore stated, I would arrange the shafts 3Q and 33 parallel, pas

shown; but that is not necessary and theyA can be arranged to form a. considerable angle to each other, the total number of teeth in each of the dili'erent pairs being different from the number in the other pairs so as to i bring the pitch lines in each pair the same distance apart.y

lt is obvious that if the i shifting and multiple pointsl in" the gears on shaft. 33 have the form ot' teeth, or projections, the cmresponding parts on the gears onv shaft 32v will be spaces o sockets; but for convenience both have .hereinbetore been termed teeth."

ln the embodiment of the invention illustrated-in Fig. 12 the giars and eccentrics could be independently shifted and thereby the space occupied by the mechanism would be, reduced. Preferably, however, as before. described, they are all"shifted simultaneously.

the claims herein, the term pinion" is intended 'to cover'a toothed wheel or gear ot' any size. V

The form ot' spur diilerential gears commonly in use may be employed in lieu of the gears S4, 84 hercinbetore described in connection with the other features ot' the present invention if desired. I

Having thus described the invention, and without intending to limit them to the exact details yot' the embodiment thereof herein illustrated, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. Tnl a variable speed gear mechanism,

the combination ot' tWoVele-ments. geared"to.

get-her and each comprising a plurality ot' 'gears of different diameters,I constantly connectedto a conunon rotatable member,."the

gears of one element being arranged in reverse order to those of the other and each.

gear adapted to act with a particular gear in the other element, and means for transferring the connection between said elements,`

from one of said coacting pairs to another Without interrupting such connect-ion.

' 2; lIn a variable speed gear mechanism,

the combination of two elements geared ,to-

gether and' mounted to rotate about parallel axes, each elementV comprising a plurality,-

ot gears ot different diameters, ea.ch, a1' ranged concentric with its axis; and one or morel gears arranged alternately ot' those aforesaid and` eccentric toV said axis, each gear heilig arranged to actwith a-particular gear in the other element, and means' for transferring the connection between said elements from one of said'coacting pairs to an-4 other withoutI interrupting s nch connection. 35 3. ln a variable speed gear mechanism,

the combination of two elements geared tov ,gether and mounted to rotate about parallel axes, eachv element comprising a plurality of gears of different diameters, each arranged concentric with its axis, and one or more gears arranged alternately oi those aforesaid and eccentric to said. axis. each intermediate eccentric gear having two shitting teeth which. respectively, aline with a tooth lneach of the adjacent; concentric gears, the concentric gears of one element being arranged re\'ersely to the similar gears ot' the other element and each gear being arranged to act WithA a particular gear of the same form in the other clement'. means for rotating one ot' said elements, means tor shitting the connection from a coacting pair ot' concentric gears to an- :n.ljaeent. pair ot' eoacting eccentric gears, Aand vire versa, when the shifting teeth of said pairs are in. alinement. and Imeans for preventing such shitting when the said teeth are out of aline-i` ment. j

Lt. ln a variable speed gear mechanism, the combination ot' two elements geared together and mounted to rotate about parallel axes, each element comprisingr a plurality of gears ot' different diameters, each arranged concentric with its axis, and one or more gears arranged alternately of those aforesaid and eccentric to said axis, each intel'- mediate eccentric gear having twoshifting teeth which, respect ively, aline with a tooth in each of the adjacent concentricgears, theeoucentric gears of one element being arranged reversely to the similar gears of the/other element and each gear being arranged to actI with a particular gear ot' the same form in the other element', means for rotating one of said elements, means ,for shifting the connection from a coaeting vpair of concentric gears to an :uljacent pair o-i enacting eccentric gears, and vice versa, when the shifting teethA of said pairs are inalinement, and means acting on both said elements for positively preventing 'such shifting when said teeth are out ot' alinement. g l 5..I'n a variable speed' gear mechanism, the combination of two elements geared to getherand each cmnprising a pluralityoi` gears ot' different diameters, the gearsof one element being arranged in reverse order to those ot' the other and each gearl adapted to act with a particular gear 4in theother element, av lever, means adapted Yto be actuated by said lever for transferring the connection between said elements from one ot' said eoacting pairs to another. without interrupting such connection, and means vfor pre venting such shifting n nt-il the parts arev in" a particular relation. `G. In .a variable speed gear mechanism,- the combination of vtwo elements geared to.` getber and each comprising a pluraliti7 of gears of di (tex-ent dia-meters, the gears ot' one element being arranged in reverse order to those of the other and each gear adaptedl ment,'a sha to act with a particular gear inthe other element, a lever, means adapted to be actu-- ated by sadlever for transferring the connection between said elements from one of said coacting pairs to another without interrupting such connection, a disk connected with each of said elements, and means normally engaging said disks and lever to prevent such shifting, except when the parts occupy a particular relation, said ineanspermitting adjustment of the lever at any time. 7. In a variable' speed gear mechanism, the combination of two elements geared` together and each comprising a plurality of gears of different diameters, the gears ot' one element being arranged in reverse order to those of the other and each gear adapted to act with a articular gear in the other ele-v gt extending parallel to the axes of vsaid elements and provided with two divametrically-o posite projecting studs, a

drum surroun ing said shaft and having a spiral passage formed therein, into which said studs extend, means connected with the drinn for transferring the connection between said elemeiits from one of said coacting pairs of gears to another of said pairs, gearing for rotating said shaft, and means controlled by the relative positions of-tlie engaged pair of gears for intermittentlyy actuating said shaft gearing.' I j 8. In a variable -speed-'gear mechanism, t-he combination of two elements geared together and each comprising a 'lnrality 'of gears of different diameters, t e -gears of one element being arranged in reverse order to those of the other and each gear adapted to act with a larticular gear in the other element, a sha t extending parallel to the axes of said elements and provided with't'wo diainetrically-opposite projet-,tin studs, a drum surrounding said shaft an having a spiral passage lformed therein into which saidstuds extend, means connected with'the drum :for transferring the connection between said elements from one of saidl coactng pairs of gears to another of saidrpa'irs, means for -intermittently rotating said drum shaft to move the drum longitudinally there of and shift the connection betweenthe elements from one pair of coacting gears to anotherof said pairs, and means for autoinatically disconnecting said drum shaft from its driving devices onv the completionl or' suoli shifting of the connection between the elements.`

9. In` a variable speed gear mechanism, the combination of two elements geared togethei and eachl comprising a plurality of gears of different diameters, they gears of one element being arran ed in reverseorder to those of the other e ement, a`sliaft extending parallel to the axes of `said elements', means actuated by said shaft ior shifting the connection from one of the coacting pairs of gears to another ot said pairs, two clutches each adapted to connect said shaft with power mechanism and to .cause said shaft to shift the connectionl between said eleineiits in op osite directions, means 'for normally hol ing both said clutches open, and means for automatically closing one of said clutches, and shifting the connection between said elements when the latter occupy a certain relative position.

10. In a variable speed gear mechanism, the combination of two elements geared togetlier and each comprising a plurality of gears of dilierent diameters, the gears oi one element being arran ed in reverse order 'to those of the other an each gear adapted to act with a particular gear in the other elementhe shaft extending parallel to the of said elements and provided with two diametrically-opposite projecting studs, a

drum or cylinder provided onits interior with spiral passages into which said studs extend,'said passa es alternately extendin at right langles tot e axis of said shaft am diagonal to said axis, means connected with said drum for shifting the connection from one of l said coasting pairs of gears to another of said pairs, means for 'normally holding the shaft stationary with the studs thereon in sections of the spiral passages in the drum'y that extend at right angles to thel Yaxis of the shaft, and means for rotating said shaft.

` 11"; The 'combination ofl two shafts, two reversely arranged series of gears arranged on said shafts in parallel relation, each series comprising a plurality of gears of different' i diameters, the number of teeth in the gears of'eachpair bearing such u relation to each other as to bring one tooth of the.y smaller gear, at regularly recurring intervals-oic time into engagement with certain multiple and shifting teeth in the larger gear and speed changing means between the gears ot each pair comprising two geared paths, one on each shaft, of equal length, extending from a multi le or shifting tooth in a gear of large to a corresponding tooth in a gear of smaller diameter in an adjacen` pair of gears, and vice versa, having pitch curves so that they touch tangentially,- or roll on each other, the.

point of contact moving from even with. the

parallel axes, each element-comprising a plurality of gears of different diameters, each arranged concentric with its axis, and one or more gears arranged alternately ol' those aforesaid and eccentric to said axis, each iniameter in one pair of gears lll) llll) termediate eccentric gear having two diametrieally opposite shifting teeth which respectively aline with teeth in the concentric gears between which said eccentricy gear is arranged, the concentric gears of one element being arranged reversely to the similar gears of the other element and each gear bethe same form in the other element,lmeans for rotating one of said elements, and means for shifting the connection between said elements from a co-acting pair of concentric gears to an adjacent pair of co-Iacting eccentric gears and vice versa.

13. In a .variable speed gear mechanism, the combination of a motor shaft, a plurality of gears oi' different diameters.mounted to rotate about a common axis and connected with said motor shaft, a driven shaft, a. plurality of gears similar to those aforesaid con nected to said driven shaft, the gears of one series being arranged in reverse order to those of the other and each gear adapted to act with a'lmrticular gear in the other series lo connect lsaid shafts, and means for transferring the connection from one .0f said 'coacting pairs ot' gears to another without interrupting the connection between the motor and driven shafts, during a single revolution of the motor sha-ft. i

14. In a variable speed mechanism, the

'combination oi a motor shaft, a plurality of gears of dltierent' diameters mounted to ro-` tate about a common axis and connected with said motor shaft, a driven shaft, a plnrality of `gears similar to'those aforesaid connectedl to said driven shaft, the gears of 'one series being arranged in reverse' order to those ot' the otherand caida' gear adapted to act with a particular gea iii the other series to connect said shals, a lever, means adapted to he actuated-"by 'said lever for mg arranged to act with a particular gear of transferringY the connection from one of sa id co-acting pairs of gears to another without interrnptingthe connection between the motorand drive-ii shafts, and means operated by the motor shaft for automatically returning said lever and shifting devices, to nr rwal position upon the completion ofla. revolation of said motor shaft. 15. In a variable speed mechanism, the combination o1ltwo elements eachjcoinprising aplurality of lofears of dierent diameters, the gears in one element being arranged reversely to those in the other, a driver connected to one of said elements, a nontiexible connectioneonstantl connecting said elements, and means for s ifting the connection between said elements longitudinally of the axes thereof.

.16. 111 a variable speed mechanism, the combination of two elements each' compris- 'ing a plurality of gears of different diameters, the gears in one element being arranged revers-ely to those in the other and. each gear adapted to act with a particular gea-rin the. other element, the number of teeth in the gears of each pair bearing a deinitecrel lation to each other so that during each revolation one tooth of the smaller gear of each pair will be opposite certain multiple and shifting teeth in the larger coperating gear, and means constantly connecting said elements and adapted into be shifted from one pair of gears to another when in direct engagement with the shifting or ..nn1l

ti 'e "f teeth. t n testimony whereof I have ,signed my name to this specification in the presence of A two subscribing witnesses.i n EDWARD-P. COWLES. Witnesses Horner E. STEWART. n DONALD MCIGQRPL 

